The current financial frenzy has whipped up concerns over investing and retirement and turned real estate into one of the few investments attractive to Canadians.

Most financial advisors know little about investing in real estate. The usual real estate advice from bankers, stock brokers, financial planners, insurance agents and other investment professionals is to sell your home, rent something modest and invest the money with them, ideally in their products. Canadians who wouldn't give up their homes when the stock market was hot were encouraged to mortgage their properties and put this money into stocks and mutual funds.

Retirement and estate planners still see renting as an equally-acceptable alternative to home ownership, which is surprising when so many Canadian retirees are facing stressful rent hikes and tenancy problems, particularly those under Ontario's Tenant Protection Act.

Home ownership carries a security of tenure which may not merely equate to money. This peace of mind supports good health. Studies have proven that those with safe, comfortable homes and secure tenure live longer healthier lives.

If you want to have a successful, fulfilling future, expect to take control of your housing needs and decisions. Relying on advice from financial advisors and estate planners may short change you since their interests differ from yours.

Fortunately, real estate brokers, developers and new home salespeople have learned that savvy Canadians are turned off by hollow razzle dazzle and "just trust me, sign here" pressures. When you visit a condominium showroom or new home presentation centre, now you have a better chance of getting the straight goods than ever before.

Real estate salespeople and builders expect you to visit new home sites many times, over several months, before making a decision. This does not mean you can let your guard down, but it does make it easier to get the facts. Think "buyer be aware" as well as "buyer beware" when you do your research. The more you understand about the development process and what is planned for the area around the development, the easier it will be to successfully select an ideal home.

Pre-selling has become the accepted approach to building new houses, condominiums and everything in between. This means you must buy from plans, drawings, computer graphics, written descriptions and verbal explanations.